Gophers' Ersery rated as a top-100 college football player in 2024

A Minnesota Gophers standout has been rated as one of the 100 best college football players heading into the 2024 season.

ESPN released its rankings on Thursday, putting Gophers senior offensive tackle Aireontae Ersery as the 59th-best player in the country.

The 6-foot-6, 300-pound lineman had the second-best run-blocking grade in the country last season, according to Pro Football Focus, and he’s already been highlighted this summer as one of the best linemen in the country , not to mention one of the most athletic , and a potential top pick in next year’s NFL Draft .

The Kansas City native was the 16th-highest rated player in the Big Ten, according to ESPN’s rankings, which featured 25 Big Ten players among the top 100.

Ersery and the Gophers are set to open the season at home against North Carolina on Aug. 29.